Wichita eagle., 1887-08-31
THE MEN, WHO LOVED HER

Daneshurst was quite an old world place.
1t seemed strange that it could exist in these
days Of electricity and steam power. An
almost forgotten, out of the way village, run.
ming in its own narrow groove, regardless OF
the ever widening circles of society.
A little world all to itself.
1t owned its rector, its LAWYER and its doctor.
| and the smaller satellites revolved around
| them, while the three families kept themselves
and each other alive with constant inter-
course
The Rev. Maurice Mildmay was widower
with one child, a little girl with a strangely
witching face-a face full of feeling, at times
wistful and pathetic, at others ripping over
with mischief and merriment.
Rose Mildmay was the pet and idol of all
the village, and not the least warm of her ad-
mirers were the sons of the lawyer and the
doctor, by name Gerald Deering and Hamil-
ton Sylvester. The three children were the
best of friends; there was no pleasure they
did not share together.
It was always gala day to the boys when
they could spend it with Rose.
They were all three loyal in their friend
ship, neither grudging the other in their tri-
angular system of affection.
Neck and neck their ponies trotted, side by
side they hunted for blackberries, nuts and
wild flowers, often hand in hand, with Rosie
forming link between them, looking from
one to the other affectionately. for she loved
them both.
And SO with childhoods innocence the
unity lasted, till the serpent entered their
Paradise, and they knew good and evils
With dawning manhood the lads each saw
how fair Rose was to look upon, and each
had the eager desire to win her for himself
a desire which one of them at least craftily
concealed from the other.
Hamilton Sylvester, with his fair head
thrown back proudly, and flash in his hon
est blue eyes, made no secret Of his hope to
win Rose, and knew only that he had rival
by his friends sullen looks and lack of good
will
Gerald Deering was of different type, but
both the lads were handsome fellows, tall,
well grown and manly, though there was
fire and intensity in Gerald's dark eyes which
told that he was as strong for evil as for
good in the development of his character.
At 16 Rose was an idyl, her small shapely
head crowned with a glory of gold brown
hair, the hues of which painter would have
loved to ira sfer to his canvas; her violet
eyes looking dark in the shade, showing up in
intense blue n the sunlight, which could ex-
pose no flaw in the pure pink and white COM
plexion.
There were people who said the girls mouth
was too large-but they had not seen her
smile, and her nose too small-but they were
only, as it were, passers by, who required
statue to look upon; and Rose was not
but q warm young creature of
fresh and tender feelings and fine sensibilities.
She had always said that she loved them
both alike, these boy lovers of hers; but deep
down in her heart was fixed Hamilton'S
image, while that of Gerald Deering, although
there too, was only upon the
surface.
With the dash of youth, Hamilton Sylvester
chose the professor of a soldier, while Gerald
decided upon being medical man.
81 will win laurels to lay at your feet, Rose
darling" cried her young lover joyously, as
he clasped the girls small hand in his own;
land when 1 come back you will be my little
wife, will you not, sweetheart"
And she had raised her beautiful eyes to
his, with more of the child than the woman
in them.
II love you, Ham," she said gently, 'but we
are all too young; we must wait and see."
"Rose, you care more for Gerald than me!n
cried the lad, a sudden pain in eyes and voice.
But Rose shook her sunny head and stroked
MS beardless cheek.
"No, you are my dearest, she said, soft
light gathering in her eyes.
And from Roses tears and clinging arms he
went out to fight the battle of life, unbound,
except by the chains with which love had made
him captive, leaving Rose free, while Ger
aid studied medicine daily with Hamilton's
father.
AMY pet" whispered he tenderly one day
when he found her in tears, and she
freely acknowledged they were for her lost
friend, "my pet, do you think would have
left you like that's Rose, Hamilton's love is
nothing when compared with lnine-a bon
fire to a volcano; forget him, dear, and let US
be all in all to each other"
"Forget Hams' she asked, with startled
Eyes. 'Oh! Gerald, and you are his friendn
she added reproachfully. she would never
have told me to forget you"
Rose, the time must come when you will |
have to choose between u.s." he continued
With emotion; "why not now!"
Nonsense, Geraldl" she answered i'm |
"Ham will come back from Sand |
hurst soon, and we shall be friends again"
He did return, and Rose was very proud of |
him in his cadets uniform, and the three were |
still to all appearances good friends. Still |
more proud was she when the jacket was ex-
changed for the tunic, and Hamilton stood |
before her arrayed in scarlet and gold, with |
his good sword by his side.
ue, nvoc ,aStad r1rl0u hin, wifi, r-eal ,,1ooc-
IRE.
Il wish it did not take me from you, Rose |
larling," he said lovingly, "but it is only for |
time; ! must make a name, and then
Do YOU know what will happen then, Roster |
md he looked deep down into the windows of |
Ter soul.
Perhaps" she acknowledged, q rose leaf |
lue fluttering over her fair face.
War broke out in Africa after that, and |
Hamilton Silvester's regiment was ordered
,ut for active service; and he went to Danes
hurst to bid good-by to his family and to
Rose.
MY darling he whispered, ait is hard to
cave you, perhaps never to return; but duty |
,alls and l must obey-gladly would !,
,ut for your sake; and yet my love for you
will nerve my arm against the strongest foe,
o strange and contradictory are human
hearts, but cannot go without the promise
# your love"
You have it, Ham," she answered gently.
True, but want more, dear girl-prornise
o lie my wife when 1 come back. l am old
nough now, am .not!7 he laughed, as he
,assed bis hand over his handsome fair mus
ache.
"Yes, think you are old enough to know
md told her many details concerning her
overs death
The Girl WAC raxar Uaary Of talking Of